Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve

Apalachicola Bay is one of the most productive estuarine systems in the Northern Hemisphere. Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve features 1,162 subspecies of vascular (or "higher-level") plants, 308 species of birds, 186 species of fish and 57 species of mammals. It has the largest natural stand of tupelo trees in the world. The Apalachicola Basin has the highest species density of amphibians and reptiles in all of North America, north of Mexico. The reserve protects this high biological diversity, as well as the economic value of the natural resources and pristine conditions.

The reserve is located in Franklin County, on the Florida panhandle, approximately 90 miles southeast of Tallahassee and 80 miles east of Panama City.